There's nothing quite like the excitement of feeling that first gentle tug on your hand line, knowing a crab has taken your bait. Hand line crabbing is the simplest and most interactive way to catch blue crabs, requiring just a piece of string, some chicken, and a dip net. This traditional method has been passed […]

You crack open a steamed female crab, ready to dig into the sweet meat, when suddenly you spot bright orange blobs lining the shell. Your first thought might be concern - is the crab spoiled? Rest assured, you've just discovered one of the ocean's most prized delicacies. That vibrant orange stuff inside a crab is […]

The unmistakable sharp, pungent smell of ammonia wafting from your crab can stop any seafood lover in their tracks. It's a smell that immediately raises alarm bells - and for good reason. Here's the critical answer: Crab with a strong ammonia smell should NOT be eaten. This odor indicates that proteins in the crab meat […]

You're standing at the seafood counter watching Dungeness crab sell for $25 per pound, knowing these delicious crustaceans are crawling along the ocean floor just miles away. For the price of two pounds of crab, you could own a quality trap and feast on fresh Dungeness all season long. But with hundreds of crab traps […]

I'll never forget the heartbreak of opening my refrigerator to find a half-bushel of dead blue crabs after my first crabbing trip. Like many beginners, I thought the fridge was the perfect storage solution. I was wrong. Yes, you can refrigerate live blue crabs, but they'll only survive 1-2 days under very specific conditions. Most […]

Have you ever watched a dull gray lobster transform into a vibrant red masterpiece in boiling water? This dramatic color change isn't magic—it's pure chemistry. The transformation happens because heat breaks down a protein called crustacyanin, releasing the naturally red pigment astaxanthin that was hidden all along. This fascinating phenomenon affects all crustaceans and involves […]

Whether you're a seasoned crabber or planning your first Gulf Coast adventure, understanding Texas blue crab laws is essential for a successful and legal crabbing experience. Texas allows year-round blue crab harvesting with specific size requirements (5" minimum), licensing obligations, and gear restrictions that every crabber must follow. This comprehensive guide will walk you through […]

You've driven hours to the perfect crabbing spot, the tide is just right, and then you realize you've forgotten your measuring gauge. One oversight can transform an exciting crabbing adventure into a frustrating day of what-ifs and missed opportunities. Whether you're planning your first crabbing expedition or you're a seasoned crabber looking for a comprehensive […]

You've just returned from a successful crabbing trip with a cooler full of live crabs, but you can't possibly eat them all today. Your first instinct might be to toss them in the freezer—stop right there! Freezing live crabs is not only ineffective but potentially dangerous to your health. The direct answer is no, you […]

Pennsylvania stands as the crown jewel of Eastern trout fishing, boasting an incredible 86,000 miles of streams and rivers. With over 15,000 miles of designated Wild Trout Water, the Keystone State offers more trout fishing opportunities than any other state in the region. The Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission stocks 3.2 million adult trout annually […]